Jordan Bassett

Hosts Will and Jordan talk with Ernesto Mejia (CoolSpeak) about moving from family involvement to true engagement. Ernesto shares why relationships—not just meetings—unlock student success, how to remove barriers for busy or multilingual families, and practical, low-cost ways schools can make engagement fun, inclusive and sustainable across all grade levels.🔑 Key Takeaways✔️ Involvement ≠ Engagement: Attendance is not the goal—relationship-building is.✔️ Lead with positives: Routine positive phone calls build trust for tougher conversations later.✔️ Meet families where they are: Consider work schedules, language, tech comfort, and transportation.✔️ If it could be an email, it’s not engagement: Use meetings for interaction, not one-way info dumps.✔️ The “Golden Triangle”: Students + caregivers + school staff working together multiplies impact.✔️ Hybrid wins: Pair short videos/virtual touchpoints with purposeful in-person experiences.✔️ Talk like humans: Replace acronyms with needs-based titles (e.g., “How to Pay for College” vs. “FAFSA Night”).✔️ Iterate boldly: Try, learn, and improve—stop doing the same meeting and expecting new results.💬 Memorable Quotes🗣️“If it could have been an email, it’s not family engagement.”🗣️“Don’t ask of families without giving first.”🗣️“Once we become professionals at failing, we’ll become excellent at succeeding.”🗣️“The Golden Triangle—students, families, and schools—raises the odds of success.”🧠 Strategies You’ll LearnDesign for engagement: Turn info into activities (e.g., app sign-up stations, bingo cards that require conversations, quick wins families complete on-site).Make it positive & predictable: Schedule “good news” calls/texts every 4–8 weeks per student.Reframe events: Rename with outcomes families actually want (“Paying for College,” “Launch Your Trade Career,” “Math Night: Parent–Student Challenges”).Use hybrid formats: 2–3 minute explainer videos or student-made TikToks/podcasts for info; in-person for relationship building.Activate internal talent: Students as media teams; staff who excel at MC’ing, Canva, or social lead segments.Culturally responsive touches: Bilingual messaging, name pronunciation, student/family voice at the mic.👁️‍🗨️ Additional PracticesFamily History Quiz: Send home 5–7 prompts (e.g., “What were you like at my age?”) to deepen connection and surface college/career insights.Golden Triangle Nights: Plan events that include students, caregivers, and multiple school roles (e.g., bonfire/info night, club fair + mini-workshops).Earned Incentives (no extra budget): Priority access to giveaways (backpacks, supplies) for families who volunteer or attend 2–3 events.Two-Solutions Rule: When a barrier arises (“Families aren’t coming”), require two tested solutions before the next meeting.Show Up First: Short personalized video/text to caregivers (or quick sideline/church/park hello) before asking them to come to you.Rename & Clarify: Ban unexplained acronyms on flyers; add “What you’ll get” bullets to every invite.Short, Shareable Media: Weekly 60–120 sec student-hosted update or 10-minute podcast for caregivers’ commutes.Positive Mail Drop: Occasional postcard home celebrating a specific behavior or contribution.On-Ramp Stations: At events, set up guided stations (log into the app, send a test message, complete one career/FAFSA step).Feedback that Works: Replace broad surveys with 3-question, QR-based pulse checks at the door and exit.📚 Resources and Links🔗 CoolSpeak: https://coolspeak.com/youth-motivational-speakers/ernesto-mejia/🔗 Ernesto Mejia’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ernmejia/?hl=en🔗 Check out Ernesto at the next Innovative Schools Summit: https://innovativeschoolssummit.com/san-antonio❤️ Love This Episode?✅ Share it with a fellow educator!⭐ Rate & Review to help more teachers find this show💬 Join the Conversation on social media or in your next staff meeting!💡 Innovative Schools Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innovativeschoolspodcast/💡 Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovative-schools-podcast/id1502414943💡 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Lbw553jnDXuG08IZ43Kb5💡 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@innovativeschoolspodcast

In this episode, hosts Liz and Jordan talk with therapist and educator Tracie Berry-McGhee about the impact of social media on adolescents, particularly how it influences relationships, cyberbullying, and mental health. Tracie shares her work with the Sista Keeper Empowerment Center, explains her innovative Wellness Mobile, and introduces her self-esteem-building LOVE Principles. She emphasizes the need for educators, families, and communities to create safe, empowering environments for young people navigating digital life.🔑 Key Takeaways:✔️ Social media is a double-edged sword: it connects but also fuels anxiety, comparison, and relational aggression.✔️ Cyberbullying doesn't stop at the school doors—it follows students 24/7 and deeply impacts school culture.✔️ Students are seeking connection, but many feel isolated even while surrounded by followers.✔️ Middle schoolers are particularly vulnerable to social media's harms due to identity formation and impulsivity.✔️ Educators can make a huge impact by creating safe spaces, paying attention to non-verbal cues, and encouraging emotional literacy.💬 Memorable Quotes:🗣️ “Followers, but no friends—that’s how many of our students feel.”🗣️ “Your algorithm will find you if you’re being true to yourself.”🗣️ “We compare ourselves to a highlight reel that isn’t even real.”🗣️ “You must be a keeper to yourself first before you can be a Sista Keeper.”🗣️ “Social media isn’t going anywhere. We have to teach kids how to use it as a tool—not be used by it.”🧠 Strategies You’ll Learn:The LOVE Principles: A practical framework for students, educators, and parents:L – Listen: Encourage mindfulness, quiet time, and tuning into inner thoughts and feelings.O – Observe: Look beyond words—watch non-verbal behavior and shifting moods.V – Validate: Use affirmations and let students know they are seen, heard, and valued.E – Empower: Promote self-worth by encouraging originality, not comparison.👁️‍🗨️ Additional Practices:Use restorative justice circles and safe group spaces for expression.Practice meditation, journaling, and affirmations in school settings.Monitor emotional shifts via body language and classroom behavior.Encourage positive use of social media (affirmation posts, reflection prompts, etc.).Promote digital literacy: understanding the emotional effects of algorithms and social comparison.📚 Resources & Links:🔗 Tracie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theempowernista/🔗 I Define Me website: https://www.idefinememovement.com/who-we-are🔗 Meet JOY: https://www.idefinememovement.com/copy-of-idm-media🔗 Book The IDM Wellness Mobile: https://www.idefinememovement.com/book-the-wellness-mobile❤️ Love This Episode?✅ Share it with a fellow educator!⭐ Rate & review to help more teachers find this show💬 Join the conversation on social media or in your next staff meeting

In this episode of the Innovative Schools Podcast, we sit down with Larry Thompson, creator of Responsibility-Centered Discipline (RCD), to explore how educators can help students take ownership of their actions, develop self-control, and build the internal strength needed to succeed both in and out of the classroom. Learn why traditional discipline methods fall short and how shifting the focus from compliance to coaching creates lasting change.🔑 Key Takeaways:✔️ What Responsibility-Centered Discipline (RCD) is and why it works✔️ Why self-control is like a muscle—and how educators can “spot” students as they grow✔️ The difference between controlling students and coaching them✔️ How to create “mastery moments” that build student confidence✔️ Why external rewards can hurt long-term growth✔️ Practical strategies for turning tough moments into teachable ones💬 Memorable Quotes:🗣️ “Self-control is kind of like a muscle—and you can strengthen that in a person.” 🗣️ “We want kids to feel strong when they meet a goal, not when they oppose authority.”🗣️ “Relationships are built through proper spotting more than through fun games.”🗣️ “Motivation is just a measurement of your self-control.”🗣️ “You can only lift other people’s weight so long before you get sick of it.”🧠 Strategies You’ll Learn:Framing expectations as skills instead of rulesHow to “spot” students like a coach during difficult momentsThe thumbs-up/thumbs-down check-in method to build student self-awarenessShifting classroom culture from compliance to collaborationEncouraging student self-reflection and honestyCoaching from a place of mastery instead of control📚 Resources & Links:🔗 Give 'Em Five – Official RCD Website🔗 Subscribe to the Innovative Schools Podcast for more powerful conversations!❤️ Love This Episode?✅ Share it with a fellow educator!⭐ Rate & review to help more teachers find this show💬 Join the conversation on social media or in your next staff meeting

In this episode of the Innovative Schools Podcast, host Jordan sits down with Dr. John Almarode, a professor at James Madison University and an expert in student engagement. We will dive into the critical distinctions between engagement and entertainment in the classroom, explore the levels of engagement, and discuss actionable strategies to ensure students are actively processing and retaining information. Dr. Almarode also shares insights from his research on Visible Learning and the importance of making student thinking visible.Key Topics Covered:The definition and importance of student engagement in the classroomHow engagement differs from entertainmentThe common pitfalls educators fall into when trying to engage studentsThe continuum of engagement: active disengagement, passive disengagement, passive engagement, and active engagementStrategies for making student learning visibleHow to assess and measure student engagement effectivelyThe impact of different teaching methods on student retention and comprehensionPractical ways educators can shift the cognitive load to students for deeper learningKey Takeaways:Engagement is not a simple yes/no concept; it exists on a continuum.Entertainment can grab students' attention, but what happens after is what truly matters.Students learn best when they are actively processing, organizing, and integrating new information.Making student learning visible through writing, discussion, and reflection enhances retention and comprehension.Traditional lecture-based teaching has a low impact on learning, while active strategies like discussion and self-assessment have much higher effectiveness.Resources Mentioned:Teacher Clarity (New Edition) by John Almarode (Available Now)How Learning Works Playbook by John AlmarodeHow Feedback Works Playbook by John AlmarodeJohn Hattie's Visible LearningConnect with Dr. John Almarode:Website: johnalmarode.comFacebook: John AlmarodeX (Twitter): @JTAlmarodeCall to Action:Reflect on engagement in your own classroom: What does it look like? How do you measure it?Try implementing one of the strategies discussed to make student thinking more visible.Share this episode with fellow educators who might benefit from a deeper understanding of engagement.Subscribe to the Innovative Schools Podcast and leave a review to help us reach more educators!Stay Connected:Follow Innovative Schools on https://www.instagram.com/innovativeschoolspodcast/

In this episode of the Innovative Schools Podcast, hosts Jordan and Liz sit down with Jessica Sinarski, an expert in education and counseling, to discuss how movement in the classroom can minimize disruptive behavior and enhance learning. Jessica introduces the concept of proprioception—a hidden sense that affects body awareness and regulation—and explains how teachers can incorporate movement strategies to support students, particularly those with sensory processing challenges or trauma histories.Jessica shares practical ways educators can use movement to create a more focused and engaged classroom environment. From jumping challenges to the "Bubblegum Club," she provides simple yet effective strategies that can help students self-regulate and optimize their learning experience.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How movement impacts classroom behavior and student learning.The importance of proprioception and why it's a game changer in education.Common signs that students may need more proprioceptive input.Practical movement strategies teachers can easily integrate into their classrooms.The role of proprioception in self-regulation and emotional well-being.Key Quotes:“Great teachers can create a space for students to regulate themselves and engage in learning.”“It’s not us against our students. We are on the same team, working to light up the learning brain.”“When kids’ needs are met, they are more able to learn. And when teachers’ needs are met, they are more able to teach.”Resources & Links:Download Jessica’s Free Guide to Proprioception: www.BraveBrains.com/PROPELearn more about Brave Brains, Jessica’s organization: www.jessicasinarski.com/bravebrainsCheck out Jessica’s book Light Up the Learning Brain: www.jessicasinarski.com/lightRegister for the Innovative Schools Summit in Orlando (March 20-23, 2025): www.innovativeschoolssummit.com/OrlandoStay Connected:Follow Innovative Schools on www.instagram.com/innovativeschoolspodcast/

Welcome to the first episode of the Innovative Schools podcast! In this episode, host Jordan sits down with Joseph Cope, a Responsibility Centered Discipline (RCD) master trainer, to discuss the challenges and rewards of working in Title 1 schools. They explore classroom management, self-control, and how educators can create a space for every student to succeed—even those who present challenges.Joseph shares his journey from elementary to middle school education, his experiences in Title 1 schools, and the lessons he learned along the way. He provides insight into how teachers can foster intrinsic motivation, set boundaries while maintaining student dignity, and manage their own emotional well-being to prevent burnout.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The reality of working in Title 1 schools and the unique challenges students face.Why traditional classroom management strategies may not always work—and what to do instead.How to create a space for students to choose self-regulation and self-control.The importance of maintaining student dignity while addressing behavioral issues.Strategies to prevent teacher burnout and sustain a fulfilling teaching career.Key Quotes:“Great teachers can create a space for students to choose to change behavior for themselves.”“Self-control is like a muscle—you have to use it for it to grow.”“Sometimes, we have to save ourselves from ourselves by protecting our heart with a level of skill.”Resources & Links:Learn more about Responsibility Centered Discipline: https://www.givemfive.com/Interested in bringing Joseph to your school for professional development? https://www.givemfive.com/contact/Thank you for joining us for this episode! We look forward to continuing this conversation and learning together in future episodes of the Innovative Schools podcast.